Pagis have helped the Indian Army during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. They have since been working not just as police personnel but also as guides to BSF in border areas.
With the major aspects of the immediate incident covered, the six reporters on the ground set about sending back stories as the smoke from the debris lifted and a clearer picture of the site emerged.
Once acquired by IAF, the medium transport aircraft (MTA) will replace both AN-32s and IL-76s, it is learnt. The idea behind the revamp is to meet modern operational needs.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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